Cost efficient upgrade from xt 750 V brakes

I have a pair of xt 750 v brakes with plenty of wear left on the brake pads and new cables and I'm still looking for more stopping power. Are the XT 770 or xt760 brakes a big improvement? Other than the weight difference is their any clear advantage between the performance of these two brakes when you compare the xt 770 to the xt 760? Would I find even more stopping power with the xtr 960 or 970 brakes over the xt units or is it more of a reduced weight thing.

Avid BB7's???

Originally Posted by Zion Lion

I have a pair of xt 750 v brakes with plenty of wear left on the brake pads and new cables and I'm still looking for more stopping power. Are the XT 770 or xt760 brakes a big improvement? Other than the weight difference is their any clear advantage between the performance of these two brakes when you compare the xt 770 to the xt 760? Would I find even more stopping power with the xtr 960 or 970 brakes over the xt units or is it more of a reduced weight thing.

You may want to consider Avid Mechanical disc brakes, provided your frame, fork and wheelset can accept discs. You can retain your brake lever / shifter set up with Avid BB7's. The stopping power and modulation takes it to a whole new level over V brakes. However, if you are not already set up to handle discs, it will definitely cost more than a V brake upgrade. That aside, once you have tried discs, I doubt you will ever want to go back to V brakes (XC racer/weight weenies excepted).

no, the 760 and 770 V-brakes are not an improvement. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that 960 and 970s are made from the same castings as 760 and 770s. Basically shimano hasn't put anything into V brakes in the last 5-6 years.

as mentioned above, pads and housings could make a difference. I'd be looking at HS-33s, it depends on your definition of cost efficient. No V brake will come close to modulation of HS-33s.